Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the National Convention of Town and Village Mayors held in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"I would like to express my sincere respect to the distinguished town and village mayors for making arduous efforts every day in towns and villages, which are the front lines of local autonomy, to develop your communities and improve the welfare of residents.
My hometown, although now is part of Nagato City after the merger of the city and towns, was originally a small town called Yuya Town.
It was thanks to this small town that I was able to make my way to the Diet. In that respect, coming to this National Convention of Town and Village Mayors today is almost like returning to home ground for me. I am furthermore deeply touched by the heartwarming introduction.
Since assuming the office of Prime Minister, I have visited the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake at a pace of once a month. I have been working towards reconstruction, while always taking into account the opinions of local residents.
In order to realize the reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake as quickly as possible, I will continue to take all possible measures, adopting a hands-on approach.
At the same time, in order to protect the lives and property of the people of Japan, which is prone to a range of natural disasters, I will steadily carry out disaster management measures with the cooperation of local governments.
Furthermore, I have been making utmost efforts to revitalize the economy, which is the top priority of the government. The dark and heavy cloud of prolonged deflation, which until last year used to loom over all of Japan, is now gone, and the Japanese economy has reversed course dramatically from negative to positive growth.
We must ensure that everyone throughout Japan experiences the economic recovery firsthand, to bring vitality to the regions. Today, I have once again renewed my determination to see that this happens.
In order to promote the creation of local regions brimming with appeal by utilizing the ideas and ingenuity of the regions themselves, my Cabinet will steadily realize the last remaining item of the ongoing decentralization reforms dating back to the first Abe Cabinet, that is, the transition of authority from the national government to local governments.
In addition, by steadily carrying out such initiatives as the Japan Revitalization Strategy and the Plan for the Creation of Regional Vitality, I will make every effort, together with all of you, for the vitalization of the regions.
I hope the distinguished town and village mayors will continue to take the lead in your communities and exert your abilities to the fullest. I would also like to once again ask for your cooperation on the policies promoted by the national government.
'There will be no vitalization of Japan without the vitalization of regional communities.' Japan can carve out a bright future only after towns, villages, and regions have regained their vitality. That is my strong belief.
I think it can be said that regional and local communities are the foundation of a beautiful country. That is, I think it can be said that a beautiful country originates from towns and villages. Under such circumstances, you, as the heads of local governments, have responsibility for the future of the children in the communities. Indeed, one of the central tasks of the Abe administration is to turn Japan into a country in which, and create an environment in which, hardworking people in the communities can have hope, and children in the communities can feel proud to have grown up in the communities as they look ahead to their future. By pledging to make every effort to this end, I would like to end my remarks to the National Convention of Town and Village Mayors as I extend my best wishes to everyone in attendance today. Thank you very much."